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Green Head
Coastal Battery (Second World War)
Site Name Green Head
Classification Coastal Battery (Second World War)
Alternative Name(s) Lerwick Defences
Canmore ID 114633
Site Number HU44SE 77
NGR HU 4710 4450
NGR Description Centred HU 4710 4450
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/114633
- Council Shetland Islands
- Parish Lerwick
- Former Region Shetland Islands Area
- Former District Shetland
- Former County Shetland
HU44SE 77 Centred 4710 4450
A World War Two Coast Battery is situated on Green Head. Consisting of two 4-inch guns with Observation post, searchlight platform and associated accommodation camp. The site has been levelled since the war and turned into an Oil Tank Farm.
J Guy 1995; NMRS MS 810/4, 19-20; PRO WO 192 116
The coast battery at Green Head is visible on vertical air photographs (106G/Scot/UK 97, 3053-3054, 18 May 1946), which show that at that date the installation was situated on what was almost an island.
The two gun-emplacements, Battery Observation Post (BOP), searchlight emplacement, engine house and accommodation huts are all clearly visible on what was an island connected to the mainland by sand/gravel bars.
The whole area has been redeveloped due to the more recent expansion of the oil industry with a new shoreline being created completely destroying the gunsite and island.
A plan held in the Public Record Office shows that the battery consisted of two gun-emplacements (Nos. 1 and 2 guns), BOP, one searchlight emplacement, engine room, several huts and two large huts to accommodate a dining room and canteen.
Information from RCAHMS (DE), February 2006
